Panagiotis Vasilopoulos: The actor who left Athens for Kyparissia driven by his love for horses

The actor Panagiotis Vasilopoulos returned to Messinia to create something special and a different life.

From childhood, Panagiotis Vasilopoulos loved animals—especially horses- but he took up acting after finishing school.

In 2006, he transferred to the Dramatic School of the Art Theater, which he completed three years later. He worked in well-known television productions, such as Kato Partali and Amartima Tis Mitros Mou, and he also had important roles in theatre.

"For many years, acting was my dream. I set out to do this and made it happen," he said.

However, his love for animals took over.

"I believe that the presence of animals in our daily lives is imperative. They are what bring us balance and make us see tomorrow more interesting," the actor added.

Sifis is his first horse

Panagiotis decided that city life was not something he could support. He returned to Messinia, where he came from, and gradually created the conditions for his balance.

In 2012, he reset and started a new life in Kyparissia, Messinia. A year before his return, he had already acquired his first horse, Sifi.

"Although returning to the area where I grew up was something I wanted to do, the first few months had some difficulties. I took some things for granted, which were not. But I quickly got used to it, and now life in the big city is something I can only experience as a visitor," Panagiotis said.

He goes to Athens to see a match with his favourite football team or to go for a walk with his family. Now married to Georgia, they have two children and aim to provide them with experiences that will make them appreciate life's truth, authenticity and essence.

Horse welfare

Starting from his love for horses and after spending a lot of time with Sifi, he decided to give others the opportunity to experience horses. We met him in the coastal forest of Elia, where he spends a large part of his day in an environment ideal for horses' well-being.

"We deal with the horses and provide them with the ideal conditions for their daily life", he told us while preparing for a walk in the forest. “Someone who primarily wants to learn about horses can come here. We try to give all the information and then have a little walk in the forest, safe for both the rider and the animal."

With Julia in the forest and on the beach

Panagiotis's favourite horse is Julia. We leave for the forest and then to the beach. They both enjoy it. Julia wants to get to the beach, so we follow them. They get lost in the endless beach.

"My relationship with horses is one of truth and honesty. When we go out for a ride with guests, in addition to the importance we place on the safety of the guests, we closely monitor the reactions of the animals to make sure that the horse is equally happy," he explained.

We leave Elea Horse Riding after coming closer to the horses and learning many things related to their daily lives. Panagiotis continues his daily life in this different life he chose for himself and his wife for their family.

Instagram: elea.horse.riding

Dimitri Stathopoulos is a columnist for Travel. Translated by Paul Antonopoulos.

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